Wedding Dresses for Different Shapes

Date: 07 Feb 2018

By: Stephanie

What’s your shape?

For lots of brides finding a dress that flatters both your figure and your self-confidence can be a harder task than first initiated. Trying on dress after dress that doesn’t suit your figure can be damaging to your self-esteem and can make the process of wedding dress shopping more of a chore than a fun day out.However, the solution is simple. Shop for your shape! Knowing your shape is an important part of finding your dress and finding your self-confidence. Once you know your body, you can be happier in understanding which type of clothing suits your physique. This applies to wedding dresses too, so consider the following guide when it’s time to go shopping for your perfect dress.

Pear Shaped

If you have a pear shaped body, the bottom of your body is wider than the top. Your hips are wider than your shoulders and your waist is well-defined with a rounded bottom.

Perfect Wedding Dress: A dress with a flowing skirt that naturally flares out at the waist and down to the floor. This exaggerates the slim waistline and overrides the bottom heavy hips and bum.

Top Tip: Go for a heavier fabric, such as satin or taffeta, as this won’t cling and will appear more flattering.

Apple Shaped

If you have an apple shaped body, most of your weight is in the middle of your body above your hips. You may have broader ribs, shoulders and back.

Perfect Wedding Dress: The smallest point of your body is your waistline, meaning a dress that cinches in at your waist is flattering to your figure. The skirt should have a gradual A-shaped flare downwards to the floor, and a V shape neckline will draw attention to the vertical and not the horizontal.

Top Tip: Avoid dresses that flare out at your middle, as this will draw attention to your widest area.

Rectangle Shaped

If you’re rectangular, the width of your shoulders, hips and waist are similar and you are slender and straight lined. You may have an athletic look about you.

Perfect Wedding Dress: Your perfect wedding dress is one that creates curves where you don’t have them. A dress in a soft, wispy fabric that has a naturally curved seam line will make you appear curvier and therefore flattering your slender figure.

Top Tip: A bodice with ruched textured material will create volume if you have a small bust.

Hourglass Shaped

If you have an hourglass figure your shoulders and hips are of a similar width and you have a set in slim waist.

Perfect Wedding Dress: Hourglass girls look great in mermaid dresses, which show off your curves in all the right places. Structured dresses, such as ball gowns, really flaunt your thin waist and curvy physique.

Top Tip: Don’t do for a heavy fabric as this can over exaggerate your curves and underwhelm your waist, making you look unbalanced.

Whatever your shape, you can find the perfect wedding dress that you love and feel happy in. There are dresses for all shapes and sizes, so don’t feel blue if you don’t find the right one straight away. Figure out what your body shape is and shop the dresses that are right for you. You can find wedding dresses for all body shapes and more by visiting Hitched.

True Bride is a tribute to Australian brides. Home to the Bride of the Year Competition and the Good Wedding Guide. With over 15,000 wedding suppliers across Australia, a fantastic resource for planning your wedding day.